Utilization of Banana Extract for Eco-friendly Functional Finishing of Textile Materials: A review

With the consumer's enhanced awareness of eco-safety, there has been an increasing tendency towards the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. Thus considerable attention has been given to products from plants, for use in various industries notably in the textile industry. Among these plants banana is selected for this review, since it is the second largest produced fruit after citrus, contributing about 16% of the world’s total fruit production. This review provides literature information about classification of functional finishing, some important finishes, and their evaluation tests methods. In addition to focus on recent researches concerning utilization and application of banana extract for various textile finishing purposes such as coloration, deodorizing, flame retardant, UV protection, antimicrobial activity, and other important applications around the world for producing appealing and highly functional value-added textiles such as fibers, dyes , pigments, polyphenols, and other biologically active compounds. &nbsp

Erratum to: The contribution of bank regulation and fair value accounting to procyclical leverage

Abstract Our analysis of how banks’ responses to asset price changes can result in procyclical leverage reveals that, for banks with a binding regulatory leverage constraint, absent differences in regulatory risk weights across assets, procyclical leverage does not occur. For banks without a binding constraint, fair value and bank regulation both can contribute to procyclical leverage. Empirical findings based on a large sample of U.S. commercial banks reveal that bank regulation explains procyclical leverage for banks relatively close to the regulatory leverage constraint and contributes to procyclical leverage for those that are not. We also show that fair value accounting does not contribute to procyclical leverage

Surface Modification and Dyeing of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fibers by Plasma Discharge Mode

       In this study Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers were subjected to oxygen/argon plasma treatment in order to improve the wettability without changing bulk properties. The results showed that surface roughnesshave been modified by plasma treatment, indicating that the plasma treatment favored the interaction with dyeing UHMWPE fibers. After the treatment the treated fibers were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM),Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy analysis (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM). Dyeability of the modified fibers were investigated by dyeing using disperse blue dye and also fibers were printed with pigment red colour.The obtained results were compared with the dyeability of the untreated fiber. The result showed that a significant increase of K/S value after dyeingandafter printing at dyeing temperature of 100 ° C. Thus, the oxygen/argon plasma treatment of UHMWPE fiber can obtain good dyeing properties overall, plasma treatment has a great improvementof theroughnesssurface and dyeing property of UHMWPE fiber.        تعرضت ألياف البولي إيثيلين عالية الوزن الجزيئي  للعلاج بتحفيز البلازما باستخدام خليط من الارجون والاكسجين من أجل تحسين قابلية الامتصاص دون تغيير خصائص الالياف. أظهرت النتائج أن خشونة السطح قد تم تحسينها عن طريق معالجة البلازما، مما يشير إلى أن معالجة البلازما تحسن التفاعل مع صباغة ألياف البولي إيثيلين عالية الوزن الجزيئي. اختبرت الألياف المعالجة عن طريق جهاز مجهر المسح الإلكتروني (SEM)، حيث يقوم فوراً بالتحليل الطيفي بالأشعة تحت الحمراء (FTIR)، انحراف الأشعة السينية (XRD)، الفحص بمجهر القوى الذرى (AFM). تم فحص صباغة الألياف المعدلة عن طريق الصباغة باستخدام الصبغة الناشرة الزرقاء وطباعة الياف أخرى بالوان البجمنت الحمراء. تمت مقارنة النتائج التي تم الحصول عليها بعد الصباغة مع الألياف غير المعالجة. أظهرت النتيجة ان هنالك زيادة كبيرة في قيمة K / S بعد الصباغة والطباعة عند الصباغة في درجة حرارة 100 درجة مئوية. وبالتالي، فإن معالجة ألياف البولي إيثيلين عالية الوزن الجزيئي  بتحفيز البلازما باستخدام خليط من الارجون والاكسجين يمكن أن تحصل على خصائص صباغة جيدة بشكل عام، والمعالجة بتحفيز البلازما يعمل على تحسن كبير في خشونة السطح وخاصية الصباغة لالياف البولي إيثيلين عالية الوزن الجزيئي. &nbsp

The influence of different joining processes on mechanical performance of carbon fiber/polyamide (CF/PA6) composites

تستخدم المواد المركبة المصنوعة من مادة البولي أميد (PA6) المقوى بألياف الكربون (CF) على نطاق واسع كمواد هيكلية في صناعات السيارات والفضاء نظرًا لخصائصها المتميزة. ومع ذلك ، نظرًا لمتطلبات السلامة الهيكلية للمواد المركبة ، لا تزال هناك محدودية فيما يتعلق بالإنتاج الفعلي للمواد المركبة المكونة من (CF/ PA6). الروابط القوية لصفائح CF/PA6 مطلوبة بشدة  لعمل تصميم خفيف الوزن يستخدم في العديد من المجالات. بهدف إجراء مقارنات ، تم تدراسة مختلف طرق المعالجة مثل الربط بمواد لاصقة والربط الحراري لتشكيل روابط اللإلفة بين صفحتين مركبتين من (CF/PA6). كما تم دراسة تأثير الطرق المختلفة ومتغيرات المعالجة  المختلفة على مقاومة القص للروابط. أظهرت النتائج أنه من السهل جدًا التعامل مع الروابط اللاصقة التقليدية وقد تتشكل روابط  أقوى إلى حد ما. يمكن استخدام الروابط الحرارية القائمة على التوصيل الكهربائي عن طريق CF لتشكيل توصيلات متلدنة بالحرارة مع المرونة في التصميم. يمكن أن تزيد الروابط الحرارية عن طريق الضغط الساخن من قوة الاتصال؛ عندما تتشكل بالضغط الساخن في ظروف مثالية في درحة حرارة تبلغ 250 درجة مئوية وضغط 2.5 ميجا باسكال ، فإن قوة القص للمفصل 138.85 ميجا باسكال. وبالتالي تم التأكيد على أنه يمكن الحصول على روابط قوية لأجزاء الصفائح للمادة المركبة CF/PA6  عن طريق الالتصاق الحراري عبرعملية الضغط  الساخن.Carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polyamide (PA6) composite materials are broadly used as structural materials in the automotive and aerospace industries due to their distinguished properties. However, due to requirements for the structural integrity of composite materials, there are still limitations in connection of the actual production of CF/PA6 composite. Strong joints of CF/PA6 laminates are highly required for the lightweight design in many fields. Aiming at making comparisons, different processing methods such as adhesive bonding and thermal jointing to form single lap joints between the two CF/PA6 composite laminates are studied. The influences of different processing methods and parameters on the shear strength of joints were also studied. Results showed that conventional adhesive bonding is quite easy to handle and may form rather stronger connections. Thermal joining based on electrical conductors of CF can be used to form a thermoplastic flexible joint design. Thermal joints by hot pressing can further increase the connection strength; when formed by hot pressing under optimum conditions of 250 °C and 2.5MPa, the joint has a shearing strength of 138.85 MPa. It is consequently confirmed that a strong joint of CF/PA6 composite parts could be obtained by thermal joints via the hot pressing process

Uncertainty in context-aware systems: A case study for intelligent environments

Data used be context-aware systems is naturally incomplete and not always reflect real situations. The dynamic nature of intelligent environments leads to the need of analysing and handling uncertain information. Users can change their acting patterns within a short space of time. This paper presents a case study for a better understanding of concepts related to context awareness and the problem of dealing with inaccurate data. Through the analysis of identification of elements that results in the construction of unreliable contexts, it is aimed to identify patterns to minimize incompleteness. Thus, it will be possible to deal with flaws caused by undesired execution of applications.Programa Operacional Temático Factores de Competitividade (POCI-01-0145-

Study of Foaming Properties and Effect of the Isomeric Distribution of Some Anionic Surfactants

Abstract Using different reaction conditions of photosulfochlorination of n-dodecane, two samples of anionic surfactants of sulfonate type are obtained. Their micellar behavior has been already reported and the relationship between their isomeric distribution and their chemical structures and micellar behaviors have been more thoroughly explored. In this investigation, we screened the foaming properties (foaming power and foam stability) by a standardized method very similar to the Ross-Miles foaming tests to identify which surfactants are suitable for applications requiring high foaming, or, alternatively, low foaming. The results obtained for the synthesized surfactants are compared to those obtained for an industrial sample of secondary alkanesulfonate (Hostapur 60) and to those of a commercial sample of sodium dodecylsulfate used as reference for anionic surfactants. The foam formation and foam stability of aqueous solutions of the two samples of dodecanesulfonate are compared as a function of their isomeric distribution. These compounds show good foaming power characterized in most cases by metastable or dry foams. The highest foaming power is obtained for the sample rich in primary isomers which also produces foam with a relatively high stability. For the sample rich in secondary isomers we observe under fixed conditions a comparable initial foam height but the foam stability turns out to be low. This property is interesting for applications requiring low foaming properties such as dishwashing liquid for machines. The best results are observed near and above the critical micellar concentrations and at 25°C for both the samples

Combined use of zoledronic acid and 153Sm-EDTMP in hormone-refractory prostate cancer patients with bone metastases

Purpose: 153Sm-ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid (EDTMP; Quadramet®) is indicated for the treatment of painful bone metastases, whereas zoledronic acid (Zometa®) is indicated for the prevention of skeletal complications. Because of the different therapeutic effects, combining the treatments may be beneficial. Both, however, accumulate in areas with increased osteoblastic activity. Possible drug interactions were investigated. Methods: Patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer were treated with 18.5 MBq/kg 153Sm-EDTMP in weeks 1 and 3 and with 37 MBq/kg in week 15. Treatment with 4 mg zoledronic acid began in week 3 and continued every 4 weeks through week 23. In weeks 3 and 15, zoledronic acid was administered 2 days before 153Sm-EDTMP treatment. Urine was collected 48 h after injection of 153Sm-EDTMP, and whole-body images were obtained 6, 24 and 48 h post-injection. The effect of zoledronic acid on total bone uptake of 153Sm-EDTMP was measured indirectly by the cumulative activity excreted in the urine in weeks 1, 3 and 15. Biodistribution, safety, tolerability and effect on prostate-specific antigen level were also studied. Results: The urinary excretion in week 3 divided by the urinary excretion in week 1 (baseline) times 100% was mean 98.4±11.6% (median 96.2%). From week 1 to 15, after four zoledronic acid treatments, the mean ratio was 101.9±10.7% (median 101.8%). Bioequivalence could be concluded by using a two-sample t test for both perprotocol (n=13) and full-analysis sets (n=18). Toxicity was comparable to of monotherapy with 153Sm-EDTMP. Conclusion: Zoledronic acid treatment does not influence 153Sm-EDTMP skeletal uptake. Combined treatment is feasible and safe

Investigating the Impact of Delivery Routes for Exon Skipping Therapies in the CNS of DMD Mouse Models

Nucleic acid-based therapies have demonstrated great potential for the treatment of monogenetic diseases, including neurologic disorders. To date, regulatory approval has been received for a dozen antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs); however, these chemistries cannot readily cross the blood–brain barrier when administered systemically. Therefore, an investigation of their potential effects within the central nervous system (CNS) requires local delivery. Here, we studied the brain distribution and exon-skipping efficacy of two ASO chemistries, PMO and tcDNA, when delivered to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of mice carrying a deletion in exon 52 of the dystrophin gene, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Following intracerebroventricular (ICV) delivery (unilateral, bilateral, bolus vs. slow rate, repeated via cannula or very slow via osmotic pumps), ASO levels were quantified across brain regions and exon 51 skipping was evaluated, revealing that tcDNA treatment invariably generates comparable or more skipping relative to that with PMO, even when the PMO was administered at higher doses. We also performed intra-cisterna magna (ICM) delivery as an alternative route for CSF delivery and found a biased distribution of the ASOs towards posterior brain regions, including the cerebellum, hindbrain, and the cervical part of the spinal cord. Finally, we combined both ICV and ICM injection methods to assess the potential of an additive effect of this methodology in inducing efficient exon skipping across different brain regions. Our results provide useful insights into the local delivery and associated efficacy of ASOs in the CNS in mouse models of DMD. These findings pave the way for further ASO-based therapy application to the CNS for neurological disease